Offshore storage unit



g- 1964 J. c. ESTES ETAL OFFSHORE STORAGE UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledOct. 25, 1959 INVENTORS John C. Esfes Ray 6. Lacy J:

ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1964 J. C. ESTES ETAL OFFSHORE STORAGE UNIT 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23, 1959 Mm AW W mad m e A wc 0 L Jr My J m wI7 6 I J. C- ESTES ETAL OFFSHORE STORAGE UNIT Aug. 25, 1964 Filed Oct.23, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 M I f 4 2 6 4 w L a a w, ll u i 4 5 u e n 7 Ma u 3 u 4 mm ill 4 I I B P John C. Eafes Roy 6.v Lacy r: By W ATTORNEYJ. c. ESTES 'ETAL 1 3,145,539

OFFSHORE STORAGE UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 23, 1959 mvmoxsATTORNEY w v w .L 0 0 b. 0 a

3,145,539 OFFSHORE STORAGE UNIT John C. Estes and Ray S. Lacy, Jr.,Beaumont, Tex., as-

signors to Bethlehem Steel Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania FiledOct. 23, 1959, Ser. No. 848,466 55 Claims. (Cl. 61-465) This inventionrelates to a marine structure for the underwater storage of oil inoffshore areas, and includes means for transferring the stored oil totankers.

Briefly, the invention comprises a compartmented hull with columnsextending upwardly therefrom and adapted to project above the surface ofthe water when the hull is in contact with the marine floor. Platformsat the tops of these columns support the production equipment, the oiltreating equipment and the crews quarters. The

structure can be floated to location on the buoyancy of the hull, and isset up on location by flooding said hull, stability being maintained bymeans of the columns. Thereafter, through oil piping communicatingbetween the production platform and the columns and hull compartments,storage and discharge of oil is effected. When it is desired to relocatethe structure, the same can be refloated by suitably deballasting thehull and columns.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide safe and eflicientmeans for the storage and discharge of oil in offshore areas.

Another object of this invention is to provide a structure for thestorage and discharge of oil in oflshore areas, which structure can befloated to location, set up in a short period of time, and refloated ina short period of time for use at another site.

A further object of this invention is to provide a structure for thestorage and discharge of oil in ofishore areas, which structure will bestable in all kinds of weather, whether afloat or aground.

Still other and further objects of this invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent likeparts in the several views:

FIG. 1 represents a view in elevation of the invention, set up onlocation at an offshore site with the hull engaging the marine floor.

FIG. 2 represents a view in plan of the invention.

FIG. 3 represents an enlarged view in elevation, partially diagrammatic,showing the production platform and tank battery, the hull, and the oiland water piping.

FIG. 4 represents an enlarged view in plan, partially diagrammatic,showing the hull and compartmentation thereof, the columns and piping,taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 represents an isometric diagrammatic view of the upper portionsof the columns and oil piping.

FIG. 6 represents an enlarged section in plan, taken along the line 6-6of FIG. 3, showing the salt water receiver in one of the columns.

FIG. 7 represents an enlarged section in elevation, taken along the line77 of FIG. 6, showing in phantom the valved manifold used in sinking thestructure.

FIG. 8 represents an enlarged view in elevation of the productionplatform and tank battery associated therewith.

FIG. 9 represents an enlarged View in plan of the central portion of theproduction platform, and the tank battery associated therewith.

The invention is seen to comprise a liquid-tight hull 1, provided withliquid-tight bulkheads 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, subdividing said hull intocorner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10 and central compartments 11 and 12respectively. Liquid-tight columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, communicat- UnitedStates Patent 0 3,145,539 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 ing with cornercompartments 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively, are secured to the hull 1,extending upwardly therefrom, and are of length suflicient to projectwell above the surface 17 of the water when said hull 1 engages themarine floor 18.

Liquid-tight tank battery 19, defined by production platform 20, bottomwall 21, and side walls 22, is supported on column 13 and is bracedthereto by members 23. Circular bulkhead 24, extending between theproduction platform 20 and bottom wall 21, is in non-communicatingregistry with said column 13. Liquid-tight bulkheads and 26, extendingbetween the production platform 20 and bottom wall 21, pass from sidewalls 22 to circular bulkhead 24, subdividing tank battery 19 into tankcompartments 27 and 28, each provided with oil inlet connections 29 and30 respectively. A housing 31, defined by walls 32 and top 33, extendsupwardly from production platform 20, communicating with tankcompartments 27 and 28 and with oil receiver compartment 34 defined bycircular bulkhead 24 and semi-cylindrical bulkhead 35, the latter twobulkheads being in communicating relation, their curved surfacesregistering. It will be noted that semi-cylindrical bulkhead 35terminates short of top 33, thereby defining an overflow weir 36 for oilpassing from tank compartments 27 and 28 through passageway 37 to oilreceiver compartment 34.

Vertically spaced, horizontally disposed liquid-tight bulkheads 38 and39 cooperate with vertical liquid-tight bulkhead 4t) and a portion ofthe wall of deep pump well 41 to define salt water receiver 42 in column13.

Oil lines 43 and 44, provided respectively with valves 45 and 46 in oilreceiver compartment 34, pass inside column 13 to hull 1 and communicaterespectively with central compartments 11 and 12 adjacent the tops thereof. Extensions 47 and 48 on valves 45 and 46 respective ly permitcontrol of said valves from a position on production platform 20,thereby placing in or removing from communication with said oil receivercompartment said oil lines 43 and 44.

Oil filling and unloading lines 49 and 50 communicate between oil line44 (directly as shown in FIG. 5 or indirectly through a portion ofloading header 52 as shown in FIG. 3) and the upper portions of columns15 and 16 and columns 13 and 14 respectively, being supported byconventional pipe hangers from walkways 51.

Loading header 52 communicates with oil line 44 through valve 53, andterminates adjacent column 15. Line 54, provided with valve 55,communicates between oil line 43 and loading header 52 beyond valve 53.Loading header 52 is provided with valved connections 56 and 57operating unloading stations to which hoses 58 and 59 from tankersmoored alongside may be secured. It will be noted that by suitablycontrolling valved connec tions 56 and 57, either or both loadingstations at columns 13 and 15 can be operated.

Vents 61 are provided at the tops of columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, at theupper portions of oil lines 43 and '44 below valves 45 and 46 and belowbottom wall 21 of tank battery 19, and at the top of housing 31.

Salt water supply line 62 communicates between production platform 20and the top of salt water receiver 42. Salt water lines 63, 64, 65, 66,67 and 68 communicate between the bottom of salt water receiver 42 andthe lower portions of corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10 and centralcompartments 11 and 12 respectively. Salt water receiver is providedwith overflow 69, vent 70, and access opening 71 ordinarily closed bymeans of blind flange 71.

The operation of this invention will now be described.

With hull 1 and columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 sufliciently empty so that thestructure is buoyant, the latter is towed to location. At the site, thestructure is submerged to engagement with the marine floor 18. This ispreferably done as follows. A pump 41a on production platform 20 takessea water through sea chest 73 and deep pump well 41 in column 13 andfloods salt water receiver 42 through :salt water supply line 62. Thesalt water can then pass from salt water receiver 42 through salt waterlines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 to the lower portions of cornercompartments 7, 8, 9 and 19 and central compartments 11 and 12respectively, the displaced air from said corner compartments 7, 8, 9and 19 passing up through columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 respectively and outthrough vents 61, the displaced air from said central compartments 11and 12 passing up through oil lines 43 and 44 respectively in column 13and out through vents 61. As the structure fills with water, it will ofcourse submerge. In this sinking operation, we prefer to first floodcentral compartments 11 and 12, and then corner compartments 7, 8, 9,and 10 and the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 associated therewith. To do so,salt water lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 should initially be closed and saltwater lines 67 and 68 open, said lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 being openedafter central compartments 11 and 12 have been filled. This can be doneby means of the valved manifold 75 shown in phantom in FIG. 7. Manifold75 comprises vertical line 76, horizontal line 77, and six individuallyvalved lines 78. Manifold 75 is installed by connecting vertical line 76to salt water supply line 62, and valved lines 78 to salt water lines63, 64, 65, 66, 6'7 and 68, all by means of conventional fittings whichneed not be described here. An operator enters salt water receiver 42through access opening 71 and controls valved lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67and 68 to flood the hull compartments and columns in the sequencealready described. After the structure has been bottomed on marine floor18, manifold 75 is disassembled and removed from salt water receiver 42,and blind flange 72 is bolted over access opening 71. In place of theparticular form of access opening 71 and blind flange 72 shown, aconventional hatch-type opening may be used to the same end.

The structure is now-ready to receive oil. By means of suitable piping,oil from the source passes through inlet connections 29 and 39 into tankcompartments 27 and 28 respectively of tank battery 19. When these tankcompartments 27 and 28 are filled, the oil will rise in passageway 37and will flow over weir 36 into oil receiver compartment 34. It will benoted that oil receiver compartment 34 is at a level considerablylL'gher than the level of overflow 69 in salt water receiver 42, andthat the ratio of the height of oil receiver compartment 34 above marinefloor 18 to the height of overflow 69 above marine floor 18 is greaterthan the ratio of salt water density to oil density. Therefore, bywell-known displacement principles, when valves 45 and 46 are opened,oil will flow from oil receiver compartmnet 34 through oil lines 43, 44,49 and 50 into columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, corner compartments 7, 8, 9and 10, and central Compartments 11 and 12, the salt water displacedthereby passing through salt water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68, intosalt water receiver 42 and thence out through overflow 69. If for anyreason the oil level in oil receiver compartment 34 rises too high,there is a high level float shutdown 79 in the upper part of oilreceiver compartment 34, preferably slightly below weir 36, whichfunctions by means of a piping and control system (not shown, butunderstood by those familiar with the art) to shut off the flow of oilinto inlet connections 29 and 30.

When it is desired to withdraw oil from storage in the structure, thetanker is moored alongside column 13 or 15, and a hose (represented bynumeral 58 or 59 in FIG. is connected to one of the loading stationspreviously described. This particular operation may be expedited by useof hose booms 58a and 59a. (Both loading stations may be usedsimultaneously to load two tankers.) Valves 56 or 57 are opened orclosed depending upon whether both loading stations or one loadingstation are in use, and if the latter, then upon which loading stationis in use, as will be evident to those familiar with the art. Valves 45,46, 53 and 55 may then be opened. Oil in oil receiver compartment 34will then flow by gravity to the tanker. When the level of oil in oilreceiver compartment 34 has fallen so that the oil no longer flows bygravity, then the deep well pump 41a on production platform 20 takes seawater from sea chest 73 and deep pump well 41 and passes said waterthrough salt water supply line 62 into salt water receiver 42. It willbe noted that the ratio of the height of valves 53 and 55 and of loadingline 52 above marine floor 18 to the height of overflow 69 above marinefloor 18 is less than the ratio of salt water density to oil density.Consequently, by well known displacement principles, the salt water willpass through salt Water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 into columns 13,14, 15 and 16 and corner compartments 7, S, 9 and 10, and into centralcompartments 11 and 12 respectively. The displaced oil passes into oillines 43, 44, 49 and 50 and thence into the tanker. In the event thedeep well pump 41a discharges salt water faster than the tanker takes onoil, the excess volume of water is discharged through overflow 69.

When it is desired to relocate the structure, it is refloated bydeballasting columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and1t), and central compartments 11 and 12. It is preferred to firstdeballast columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 and corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and1t), and then to deballast central compartments 11 and 12. To do this,salt water lines 67 and 63 should initially be closed, and salt Waterlines 63, 64, 65 and 66 open, said lines 67 and 68 being opened afterthe columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 and corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10have been deballasted. Salt water receiver 42, containing salt water upto the level of overflow 69, is drained by means of valve 80, it beingrecalled that salt water receiver 42 is always above the Water surface17. Flange 72 is removed and manifold 75 is again assembled andconnected as heretofore described. An operator enters salt waterreceiver 42 through access opening '71 and closes those valved lines 78leading to salt water lines 67 and 68, the other valved lines 78 beingopen. Valves 45, 46, 53 and 55 are closed. Those vents 61 commuincatingwith oil lines 43 and 44' are closed, by means of blind flanges boltedto flanges at the ends of the return bends, or by any other suitablefitting or, to the same end, these vents 61 may be provided with valveswhich may be closed for this purpose. Compressed air is then introducedinto columns 13, 14, 15 and 16'through the vents 61 communicating withthe upper portions of said columns. Under the pressure of the compressedair, the salt water will be displaced through lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 tosalt water receiver 42 and out through line 62 and thence overboardthrough a branch line (not shown) communicating with line 62 below pump41a at any suitable point, as will be evident to those familiar with theart, which branch line may be opened when such discharge is to beeffected. The structure will commence to assume positive buoyancy, andwill rise. The rate of ascent, as well as the stability, of thestructure (viz., maintaining the same in level condition) can, as willbe evident, be controlled by the pressure and distribution of compressedair to the four columns.

The operator may then open valved lines 78 leading to salt water lines67 and 68, and may close valved lines 78 leading to salt water lines 63,64, 65 and 66. Valves 45, 46, 53 and 55 remain closed. Vents 61communicating with the tops of columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 are closed, asexplained before, by means of blind flanges, other suitable fittings, orvalves. Compressed air may now be introduced into those vents 61communicating with the upper portions of oil lines 43 and 44. Salt waterdisplaced in central compartments 11 and 12 will pass through salt waterlines 67 and 68 into salt water receiver 42 and out through line 62.

Instead of deballasting central compartments 11 and 12 by means ofcompressed air, it may be desired simply to pump out the salt watertherein by suitable pump means (not shown) as will be evident to thosefamiliar with the art. In this event, these compartments should bevented as, for instance, by leaving open those vents 61 communicatingwith the upper portions of oil lines 43 and 44.

The structure may then be towed to another marine site and set up onlocation and operated as previously described.

Other features cooperating to effect the desired premises are platform81 for crews quarters, platform 82 for treating equipment, boat landing83 leading to stairway 84, the latter in turn leading to walkways 51,and ladder 85 leading to access opening 71.

Although we have shown and described our invention in considerabledetail, we do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown anddescribed, but may use such substitutions, modifications or equivalentsthereof as are embraced within the scope of our invention or as pointedout in the claims.

We claim:

1. An ofishore storage apparatus for the storage of oil in marinelocations and for the discharge of stored oil to a tanker vessel bymeans of a hose, comprising a submersible ballastable hull adapted to befloated to location and submerged to engagement with the marine floor,liquid-tight bulkheads in said hull, corner compartments and a centralcompartment in said hull defined by said liquid-tight bulkheads, columnssecured to said hull and extending upwardly therefrom to project abovethe surface of the water when said hull has been submerged to engagementwith the marine floor, said columns communicating with said cornercompartments, tank means supported on one of said columns, an oilreceiver compartment associated with said tank means, a weir in said oilreceiver compartment, a fluid passageway communicating between said tankmeans and said oil receiver compartment over said weir, a Water receivercompartment in one of said columns, first means to introduce sea Waterinto said water receiver compartment, second means to introduce seawater from said water receiver compartment to said columns, cornercompartments and central compartment, third means to introduce oil intosaid tank means, and fourth means to introduce oil from said oilreceiver compartment to said columns and central compartment.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, further including high level float shutdownmeans adjacent said weir in said oil receiver compartment to close saidthird means when the oil level in said oil receiver compartment risesabove a predetermined value.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, said first means comprising a sea chest insaid hull, pumping means having a suction and a discharge and adjacentsaid tank means, conduit means communicating between said sea chest andsaid suction, and conduit means communicating between said discharge andthe upper portion of said water receiver compartment.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1, said second means comprising third conduitmeans communicating between the lower portion of said water receivercompartment and the lower portions of said corner compartments, fourthconduit means communicating between the lower portion of said waterreceiver compartment and the lower portion of said central compartment,and valved means between said first means and said third and fourthconduit means communicable selectively between said first mean and saidthird conduit means, or between said first means and said fourth conduitmeans, or between said first means and said third and fourth conduitmeans.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1, said fourth means comprising first oilconduit means communicating between the lower portion of said oilreceiver compartment and the upper portions of said central compartment,and

second oil conduit means communicating. between said first oil conduitmeans and the upper portions of said columns.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1, said fourth means comprising valve means insaid oil receiver compartment, first oil conduit means communicatingbetween said valve means and the upper portions of said centralcompartment, and second oil conduit means communicating between saidfirst oil conduit means and the upper portions of said columns.

7. Apparatus as in claim 1, further including a loading conduitcommunicating with said fourth means, and at least one valved loadingstation communicating with said loading conduit and adapted to receivethe hose of a tanker vessel for transfer of oil thereto.

8. Apparatus as in claim 1, said apparatus furtherincluding an overflowconnection communicating between the interior of said water receivercompartment and the outside of its respective column, the ratio of. theheight of the bottom of said oil receiver compartment above the marinefloor to the height of said overflow connection above the marine floor,said heights being measured when the hull is in engagement with themarine floor, being greater than the ratio of water density to oildensity.

9. Apparatus as in claim 7, said apparatus further including an overflowconnection communicating between the interior of said water receivercompartment and the outside of its respective column, the ratio of theheight of said loading station and loading conduit above the marinefloor to the height of the overflow connection above the marine floor,said heights being measured when the hull is in engagement with themarine floor, being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, and the ratio of the heightof the bottom ofsaid oil receiver compartment above the marine floor to the height ofsaid overflow connection above the marine floor, said heights beingmeasured when the hull is in engagement with the marine floor, beinggreater than the ratio of water density to oil density.

11. Apparatus as in claim 1, further including first vent meanscommunicating with the upper portions of said columns, second vent meanscommunicating with the upper portion of said fourth means below saidoilreceiver compartment, means to open or selectively to close saidfirst and second vent means, and means to introduce compressed air tosaid first vent means or selectively to said second vent means.

12. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to besubmerged and stably supported adjacent the marine door, a columnsecured to said tank and of height sufficient to extend above thesurface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supportedadjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent theupper portion thereof, pump means to introduce water into saidcompartment, water piping meanseommunicating between said compartmentand the lower portion of said tank, oil piping means communicatingbetween the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduceoil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectivelycommunicating between the upper portion of said column and a tankervessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel,

and outlet means in said compartment communicating be-- tween saidcompartment and the atmosphere.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12, further including shutoff means in saidoil piping means responsive to a pre-- determined oil level.

14. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to besubmerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a columnsecured to said tank and communicating with the interior thereof, saidcolumn being of height sufficient to extend above thesurface of thesurrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marinefloor, a compartment in said column.

adjacent the upper portion thereof and not directly communicating withthe interior of said column, pump means to introduce water into saidcompartment, water piping means communicating between the lower portionof said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oil piping meanscommunicating between the upper portion of said column and an oil sourceto introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column orselectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and atanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tankervessel, and outlet means in said compartment above the bottom thereofand communicating between said compartment and the atmos phere.

15. Apparatus as in claim 14, further including shutoif means in saidoil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level.

16. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to besubmeregd and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a columnsecured to said tank and communicating with the interior thereof, saidcolumn being of height sufficient to extend above the surface of thesurrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marinefloor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereofand not directly communicating with the interior of said column, thecrosssectional area of said compartment being less than thecross-sectional area of said column, pump means to introduce water intosaid compartment, water piping means communicating between the lowerportion of said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oilpiping means communicating between the upper portion of said colurrm andan oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of saidcolumn or selectively communicating between the upper portion of saidcolumn and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to saidtanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment above the bottomthereof and communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere.

17. Apparatus as in claim 16, further including shutofi means in saidoil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level.

18. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to besubmerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a columnsecured to said tank in communicating relationship therewith and ofheight sufficient to extend above the surface of the surrounding waterwhen said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, acompartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof, pumpmeans to introduce water into said compartment, water piping meanscommunicating between said compartment and the lower portion of saidtank, oil piping means communicating etween the upper portion of saidcolumn and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upperportion of said column or selectively communicating between the upperportion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from saidapparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartmentcommunicating between said compartment and the atmosphere, the ratio ofthe height of said oil piping means above the marine floor to the heightof said outlet means above the marine floor, said heights being measuredwhen said apparatus is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, beingless than the ratio of water density to oil density.

19. Apparatus as in claim 18, further including shutoff means in saidoil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level in saidapparatus.

20. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to besubmerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a columnsecured to said tank and of height sufiicient to extend above thesurface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supportedadjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent theupper portion thereof and not directly communicating with the interiorof said column, pump means ing between the upper portion of said columnand an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion ofsaid column or selectively communicating between the upper portion ofsaid column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus tosaid tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment above thebottom thereof and communicating between said compartment and theatmosphere, the ratio of the height of said oil piping means above themarine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor,said heights being measured when said apparatus is stably supportedadjacent the marine floor, being less than the ratio of water density tooil density.

21. Apparatus as in claim 20, further including shutoif means in saidoil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level in saidapparatus.

22. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to besubmerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a columnsecured to said tank and of height suflicient to extend above thesurface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supportedadjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent theupper portion thereof and not directly communicating with the interiorof said column, the cross-sectional area of said compartment being lessthan the crosssectional area of said column, pump means to introducewater into said compartment, water piping means communicating betweensaid compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oil piping meanscommunicating between the upper portion of said column and an oil sourceto introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column orselectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and atanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tankervessel, and outlet means in said compartment above the bottom thereofand communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere, the ratioof the height of said oil piping means above the marine floor to theheight of said outlet means above the marine floor, said heights beingmeasured when said apparatus is stably supported adjacent the marinefloor, being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.

23. Apparatus as in claim 22, further including shutoff means in saidoil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level in saidapparatus.

24. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to besubmerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a columnsecured to said tank and of height sufficient to extend above thesurface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supportedadjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent theupper portion thereof, pump means to introduce water into saidcompartment, water piping means communicating between said compartmentand the lower portion of said tank, first oil piping means communicablebetween the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduceoil to be stored to the upper portion of said column, second oil pipingmeans communicable between the upper portion of said column and a tankervessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, andoutlet means in said compartment communicating between said compartmentand the atmosoff means in said first oil piping means responsive to apredetermined oil level in said apparatus.

7 26. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a storage tank adapted tobe submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, acompartment, means securing said compartment to said storage tank at anelevation above the level of the surrounding water when said storagetank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, means to introducewater into said compartment, water piping means communicating betweensaid compartment and the lower portion of said storage tank, oil pipingmeans communicable between the upper portion of said storage tank and anoil source to introduce oil to be stored to said storage tank orselectively communicable between the upper portion of said storage tankand a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said storage tank to saidtanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment communicatingbetween said compartment and the atmosphere.

27. Apparatus as in claim 26, the ratio of the height of said oil pipingmeans above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means abovethe marine floor, said heights being measured when said apparatus isstably supported adjacent the marine floor, being less than the ratio ofwater density to oil density.

28. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a storage tank adapted to besubmerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment,means securing said compartment to said storage tank at an elevationabove the level of the surrounding water when said storage tank isstably supported adjacent the marine floor, means to introduce waterinto said compartment, water piping means communicating between saidlower portion of said storage tank, first oil piping means communicablebetween the upper portion of said storage tank and an oil source tointroduce oil to be stored to said storage tank, second oil piping meanscommunicable between the upper portion of said storage tank and a tankervessel to discharge oil from said storage tank to said tanker vessel,and outlet means in said compartment communicating between saidcompartment and the atmosphere, the ratio of the height of said firstoil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outletmeans above the marine floor being greater than the ratio of waterdensity to oil density, and the ratio of the height of said second oilpiping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet meansabove the marine floor being less than the ratio of water density to oildensity, said heights being measured when said apparatus is stablysupported adjacent the marine floor.

29. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a submerged basecompartment, column means associated with the base compartment forming aseparate compartment therefrom and extending above the surface of thewater, a water receiver compartment associated with said column meansand positioned above the surface of the water, first means to introducewater to said water receiver compartment, overflow means in said waterreceiver compartment, second and third water conduit means communicating between said water receiver compartment and the lowerportions of said base compartment and said column means respectively, anoil receiver compartment associated with said column means positionedabove the level of the overflow means in said water receiver compartment, fourth means to introduce oil into said oil receivercompartment, fifth and sixth oil conduit means communicable between saidoil receiver compartment and the upper portions of said base compartmentand said column means respectively, an oil discharge station associatedwith said apparatus above the surface of the water, seventh and eighthoil conduit means communicable between said base compartment and saidcolumn means respectively and said oil discharge station, and valvemeans in said oil conduit means operable to place said base compartmentin communication with said oil receiver compartment or selectively withsaid oil discharge station and to place said column means in communication with said oil receiver compartment or selectively with said oildischarge station.

30. Apparatus as in claim 29, the ratio of the height of said oilreceiver compartment above the bottoms of said base compartment and saidcolumn means to the height or" said overflow means in said waterreceiver compartment above the bottoms of said base compartment and saidcolumn means being greater than the ratio of water density to oildensity.

31. Apparatus as in claim 29, the ratio of the height of said oildischarge station above the bottoms of said base compartment and saidcolumn means to the height of said overflow means in said Water receivercompartmerit above the bottoms of said base compartmentand said columnmeans being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.

32. Apparatus as in claim 29, the ratio of the height of said oilreceiver compartment above the bottoms of said base compartment and saidcolumn means to the height of said overflow means in said water receivercompartment above the bottoms of said base compartment and said columnmeans being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density, andthe ratio of the height of said oil discharge station above the bottomsof said base compartment and said column means to the height of saidoverflow means in said water receiver compartment above the bottoms ofsaid base compartment and said column means being less than the ratio ofwater density to oil density.

33. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a submerged base tank, awater receiver associated with the base tank and located above thesurface of the water, a discharge opening in said water receivercommunicating with the atmosphere, an oil receiver associated with thebase tank, said oil receiver being located above the level of thedischarge opening of said Water receiver, water conduit meanscommunicating between said water receiver and a point in said base tankadjacent the bottom thereof, oil conduit means communicating betweensaid oil receiver and a point in said base tank adjacent the topthereof, oil conduit means communicating be-' tween said base tank andan oil discharge point above the surface of the water, means forintroducing water into said water receiver, and means for introducingoil into said oil receiver.

34. Apparatus as in claim 33, the ratio of the height of said oilreceiver above the bottom of said base tank to the height of saiddischarge opening in said water receiver above the bottom of said basetank-being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density.

35. Apparatus as in claim 33, the ratio of the height of said oildischarge point above the bottom of said base tank to the height of saidwater receiver above the bot tom of said base tank being less than theratio of water density to oil density.

36. Apparatus as in claim 33, the ratio of the height of said oilreceiver above the bottom of said base tank to the height of saiddischarge opening in said water receiver above the bottom of said basetank being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density, andthe ratio of the height of said oil discharge point above the bottom ofsaid base tank to the height of said water receiver above the bottom ofsaid base tank being less than the ratio of water density to oildensity.

37. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a submerged base tank,column means secured to said base tank in communicating relationshiptherewith and projecting above the surface of the water, a waterreceiver associated with said column means above the surface of thewater, a discharge opening in said Water receiver communicating with theatmosphere, an oil receiver associated with said column means above thelevel of the discharge opening of said Water receiver, water conduit l lmeans communicating between said Water receiver and a point in said basetank adjacent the bottom thereof, first oil conduit means communicatingbetween said oil receiver and a point in said column means adjacent theupper portion thereof, second oil conduit means communicating betweensaid column means and an oil discharge point above the surface of thewater, means for introducing water into said water receiver, and meansfor introducing oil into said oil receiver.

38. Apparatus as in claim 37, the ratio of the height of said oilreceiver above the bottom of said base tank to the height of saiddischarge opening in said water receiver above the bottom of said basetank being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density.

39. Apparatus as in claim 37, the ratio of the height of said oildischarge point above the bottom of said base tank to the height of saidwater receiver above the bottom of said base tank being less than theratio of water density to oil density.

40. Apparatus as in claim 37, the ratio of the height of said oilreceiver above the bottom of said base tank to the height of saiddischarge opening in said water receiver above the bottom of said basetank being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density, andthe ratio of the height of said oil discharge point above the bottom ofsaid base tank to the height of said water receiver above the bottom ofsaid base tank being less than the ratio of water density to oildensity.

41. In apparatus for storage, below the surface of a body of water, of awater-immiscible liquid having a specific gravity less than 1.0, thecombination of a rigid tank structure including a hollow base portionmounted on the floor of the body of water and a hollow columnar portionrigidly supported by said base portion and extending up- Wardlytherefrom, said base and columnar portions being in communication witheach other; said columnar portion extending to a point substantiallyabove the mean surface level of the body of water and including meansdefining a separate chamber disposed above said mean surface level;conduit means communiacting between said separate chamber and theinterior of said base portion; means communicating with the interior ofsaid columnar portion below said separate chamber for introducing storedliq id to and withdrawing stored liquid from said tank structure, andmeans for supplying water to said separate chamber from the body ofwater.

42. In apparatus for storage, below the surface of a body of Water, of awater-immiscible liquid having a specilic gravity less than 1.0, thecombination of a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of thebody of water; an upright tank structure rigidly secured to andsupported by said base tank structure, the interiors of said tankstructures being in communication, said upright tank structure extendingabove the mean surface level of the body of water and having ahorizontal croo s-section which is substantially less than thehorizontal extent of said base tank structure; means defining a separatechamber in said upright tank structure, said chamber being locatedsubstantially above said mean surface level and in communication withthe lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; pumpmeans operably connected for supplying water to said chamber from thebody of water, and means communicating with the interior of said uprighttank structure for introducing and discharging stored liquid, said pumpmeans being operative to maintain a predetermined level of water in saidchamber during such discharge of stored liquid.

43. In apparattus for storing, under a body of Water, water-immiscibleliquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of ahollow base tank structure mounted on the fioor of the body of Water; anupright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by saidbase tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, thehorizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure beingsubstantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional areaof said base tank structure and the height of said upright tankstructure being such that the top thereof is located a substantialdistance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said uprighttank structure including means defining therein a separate chamberlocated substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit meanscommunicating between the interior of said separate chamber and thelower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; secondconduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tankstructure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can besupplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of Water to saidseparate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said firstconduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head isgreater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tankstructure by the body of water in which said base tank structure isimmersed.

44. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immiscibleliquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of ahollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of Water; anupright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by saidbase tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, thehorizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure beingsubstantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional areaof said base tank structure and the height of said upright tankstructure being such that the top thereof is located a substantialdistance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said uprighttank structure including means defining therein a separate chamberlocated substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit meanscommunicating between the interior of said separate chamber and thelower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; secondconduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tankstructure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can besupplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and meansincluding a pump for supplying water from the body of water to saidseparate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said firstconduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head isgreater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tankstructureby the body of water in which said base tank structure isimmersed, and further comprising a horizontal platform disposed abovesaid mean surface level, said platform being mounted on and supported bysaid upright tank structure.

45. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immiscibleliquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of ahollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; anupright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by saidbase tank structure and communiacting with the interior thereof, thehorizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure beingsubstantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional areaof said base tank structure and the height of said upright tankstructure being such that the top thereof is located a substantialdistance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said uprighttank structure including means defining therein a separate chamberlocated substantially above said means surface level; first conduitmeans communicating between the interior of said separate chamber andthe lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; secondconduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tankstructure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can besupplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and meansincluding a pump for supplying Water from the body of water to saidseparate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said firstconduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head isgreater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tankstructure 13 by the body of water in which said base tank structure isimmersed, and wherein said upright tank structure includes a transversebulkhead disposed above said mean surface level and defining the bottomof said separate chamber.

46. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immiscibleliquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of ahollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; anupright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by saidbase tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, thehorizontal crosssectional area of said upright tank structure beingsubstantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional areaof said base tank structure and the height of said upright tankstructure being such that the top thereof is located a substantialdistance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said uprighttank structure including means defining therein a separate chamberlocated substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit meanscommunicating between the interior of said separate chamber and thelower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; secondconduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tankstructure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can besupplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and meansincluding a pump for supplying water from the body of water to saidseparate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said firstconduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head isgreater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tankstructure by the body of water in which said base tank structure isimmersed, and wherein said upright tank structure includes a transversebulkhead disposed above said mean surface level and defining the bottomof said separate chamber, and wherein said first conduit means extendsfrom said bulkhead downwardly through the interior of said upright tankstructure, and said second conduit means extends from said bulkheadupwardly through said separate chamber.

47. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, Water-immiscibleliquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of ahollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; anupright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by saidbase tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, thehorizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure beingsubstantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional areaof said base tank structure and the height of said upright tankstructure being such that the top thereof is located a substantialdistance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said uprighttank structure including means defining therein a separate chamberlocated substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit meanscommunicating between the interior of said separate chamber and thelower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; secondconduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tankstructure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can besupplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and meansincluding a pump for supplying water from the body of Water to saidseparate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said firstconduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head isgreater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tankstructure by the body of water in which said base tank structure isimmersed, and wherein said separate chamber is provided with a laterallyopening overflow effective to limit the hydrostatic head established bysupplying water to said separate chamber.

48. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immiscibleliquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of ahollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; anupright 14 hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported bysaid base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof,the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure beingsubstantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional areaof said base tank structure and the height of said upright tankstructure being such that the top thereof is located a substantialdistance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said uprighttank structure including means defining therein a separate chamberlocated substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit meanscommunicating between the interior of said separate chamber and thelower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; secondconduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tankstructure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can besupplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and meansincluding a pump for supplying water from the body of water to saidseparate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said firstconduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head isgreater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tankstructure by the body of water in which said base tank structure isimmersed, and further comprising a horizontal platform disposed abovesaid mean surface level, said platform being mounted on and supported bysaid upright tank structure, and wherein said pump is mounted on saidplatform, said apparatus further comprising a pump in take ductextending downwardly from said platform through the interior of saidupright tank structure, said intake duct having an inlet end disposedbelow said mean surface level and opening laterally through the wall ofsaid upright tank structure.

19. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immisibleliquids having a specific gravity less than 1,0, the combination of ahollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of Water; anupright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by saidbase tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, thehorizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure beingsubstantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional areaof said base tank structure and the height of said upright tankstructure being such that the top thereof is located a substantialdistance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said uprighttank structure including means defining therein a separate chamberlocated substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit meanscommunicating between the interior of said separate chamber and thelower portion of the interior of said base tank structure, secondconduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tankstructure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can besupplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and meansincluding a pump for supplying water from the body of water to saidseparate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said firstconduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head isgreater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tankstructure by the body of Water in which said-base tank structure isimmersed, and wherein said first conduit means includes an elongatedhorizontally extending discharge manifold disposed adjacent the bottomof said base tank structure.

50. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immiscibleliquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of ahollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; anupright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by saidbase tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, thehorizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure beingsubstantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional areaof said base tank structure and the height of said upright tankstructure being such that the top thereof is located a substan:

l tial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, saidupright tank structure including means defining therein a separatechamber located substantially above said means surface level; firstconduit means communicating between the interior of said separatechamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tankstructure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of saidupright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which storedliquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, andmeans including a pump for supplying water from the body of. Water tosaid separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via saidfirst conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, whichhead is greater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to saidbase tank structure by the body of water in which said base tankstructure is immersed, and wherein said upright tank structure iscylindrical and includes a lower portion of larger diameter and a topportion of smaller diameter, said lower portion terminating above saidmean surface level and constituting means for accommodating storedliquid, said top portion containing said separate chamber.

51. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, Water-immiscibleliquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of ahollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; anupright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by saidbase tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, thehorizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure beingsubstantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional areaof said base tank structure and the height of said upright tankstructure being such that the top thereof is located a substantialdistance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said uprighttank structure including means defining therein a separate chamberlocated substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit meanscommunicating between the interior of said separate chamber and thelower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; secondconduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tankstructure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can besupplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and meansincluding a pump for supplying water from the body of Water to saidseparate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said firstconduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head isgreater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tankstructure by the body of water in which said base tank structure isimmersed, and wherein said upright tank structure is cylindrical andincludes a lower portion of larger diameter and a top portion of smallerdiameter, said lower portion terminating above said means surface leveland constituting means for accommodating stored liquid, said top portioncontaining said separate chamber, and further comprising a horizontalwork platform of substantial extent mounted on said top portion and alaterally projecting landing platform secured to said lower portion atsaid mean surface level.

52. Marine oil storage apparatus adapted to receive and store oil froman oil supply source and to discharge oil to an oil discharge point,comprising a submerged base tank, a water receiver associated with thebase tank and located above the surface of the water, a dischargeopening in said water receiver communicating with the atmosphere, waterconduit means communicating between said water receiver and a point insaid base tank adjacent the bottom thereof, oil conduit meanscommunicating between said oil supply source and a point in said basetank adjacent the top thereof or selectively communicating between saidbase tank and an oil discharge point above the surface of the water, andmeans for introducing water into said water receiver.

53. In an underwater oil storage apparatus, the combination of base tankmeans adapted to be submerged in lfi a body of water and located at thefloor thereof; a column secured to said tank and of a height to extendsubstantially above the mean surface level of the body of water whensaid base tank is located at the floor thereof, the interior of saidcolumn communicating with the interior of said base tank means, saidcolumn including means defining a compartment within said column andabove said mean surface level; pump means operatively arranged to supplywater to the interior of said compartment; water piping meanscommunicating between the lower portion of said compartment and thelower portion of said base tank means; oil piping means arranged forselective connection to an oil source or an oil discharge point, saidoil piping means communicating with an upper portion of said column andsaid upper portion of said column communicating with the interior ofsaid base tank means; and outlet means connecting the interior of saidcompartment to the atmosphere.

54. In an underwater oil storage apparatus, the combination of base tankmeans adapted to be submerged in a body of water and located at thefioor thereof; a column rigidly mounted on said base tank and projectingupwardly therefrom, said column being of a height to extend above themean surface level of the body of water when said base tank is locatedat the floor thereof, the interior of said column communicating with theinterior of said base tank means; means defining a compartment withinsaid column and including a partition forming the bottom of saidcompartment, said partition being located substantially above said meansurface level when said base tank means is located at the floor of thebody of water; water piping means extending from said compartment to thelower portion of said base tank means, said water piping means extendingfrom said partition downwardly through said column; means for supplyingwater downwardly through said water piping means comprising a pumpsupported by said column, intake means connected to the inlet of saidpump and communicating with the body of Water when said base tank meansis located at the floor thereof, and means connecting the output of saidpump to deliver water to said water piping means; water in said waterpiping means applying to the interior of said base tank means ahydrostatic head substantially greater than that applied to said basetank means exteriorly by the body of water in which said base tank meansis submerged when said base tank means and water piping means are filledwith liquid; and oil piping means arranged for selective connection toan oil source or an oil discharge point, said oil piping meanscommunicating with an upper portion of said column and said upperportion communicating with the interior of said base tank means.

55. In an underwater oil storage apparatus, the combination of base tankmeans adapted to be submerged in a body of water and located at thebottom thereof; a hollow column rigidly mounted on said base tankstructure and projecting upwardly therefrom, said column being of aheight to extend above the mean surface level of the body of water whensaid base tank is located at the floor thereof; means defining acompartment within said column and including a liquid-tight partitionforming the bottom of said compartment, said partition being locatedsubstantially above said mean surface level when said base tank means islocated at the floor thereof; at least one conduit extending downwardlythrough said partition and within said column, said at least one conduitcommunicating with the lower portion of said base tank means; watersupply means for supplying water downwardly through said at least oneconduit, said water supply means comprising a pump supported by saidcolumn; intake means connected to the inlet of said pump andcommunicating with the body of water when said base tank is located atthe floor thereof, and means for directing water from the output of saidpump to said at least one conduit; water in said at least one conduitapplying 17 to the interior of said base tank means a hydrostatic headsubstantially greater than that applied to said base tank meansexteriorly by the body in which the same is submerged when said basetank means and said at least one conduit are filled with liquid; oilpiping means arranged for selective connection to an oil source or anoil discharge point, said oil piping means communicating with theinterior of said base tank means via at least an upper portion of saidcolumn; and means whereby Water passing upwardly via said at least oneconduit, during introduction of oil by said oil piping means, isdischarged above said mean surface level.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS HarrisMar. 17, 1953 Watts Jan. 17, 1956 Monti et al. June 5, 1956 Brooks Jan.26, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain June 11, 1958 OTHER REFERENCESInternational, March 10, 1958, page 101.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE CERTIFICATE OF @URRECTIN Patent No. 3145,539 August 25 1964 John C, Estes et a1 It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and"that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below Column 2line 68, for "blind flange 710" read blind flange 72, column 9 line 33after "said insert compartment and the column 11, line 55 fororoossection" read cross-section line 68 for "apparattus" read apparatusSigned and sealed this 8th day of December 1964,

(SEAL) Arrest:

ERNEST W..- SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Aitesiing Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. AN OFFSHORE STORAGE APPARATUS FOR THE STORAGE OF OIL IN MARINELOCATIONS AND FOR THE DISCHARGE OF STORED OIL TO A TANKER VESSEL BYMEANS OF A HOSE, COMPRISING A SUBMERSIBLE BALLASTABLE HULL ADAPTED TO BEFLOATED TO LOCATION AND SUBMERGED TO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE MARINE FLOOR,LIQUID-TIGHT BULKHEADS IN SAID HULL, CORNER COMPARTMENTS AND A CENTRALCOMPARTMENT IN SAID HULL DEFINED BY SAID LIQUID-TIGHT BULKHEADS, COLUMNSSECURED TO SAID HULL AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM TO PROJECT ABOVETHE SURFACE OF THE WATER WHEN SAID HULL HAS BEEN SUBMERGED TO ENGAGEMENTWITH THE MARINE FLOOR, SAID COLUMNS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CORNERCOMPARTMENTS, TANK MEANS SUPPORTED ON ONE OF SAID COLUMNS, AN OILRECEIVER COMPARTMENT ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TANK MEANS, A WEIR IN SAID OILRECEIVER COMPARTMENT, A FLUID PASSAGEWAY COMMUNICATING BETWEEN SAID TANKMEANS AND SAID OIL RECEIVER COMPARTMENT OVER SAID WEIR, A WATER RECEIVERCOMPARTMENT IN ONE OF SAID COLUMNS, FIRST MEANS TO INTRODUCE SEA WATERINTO SAID WATER RECEIVER COMPARTMENT, SECOND MEANS TO INTRODUCE SEAWATER FROM SAID WATER RECEIVER COMPARTMENT TO SAID COLUMNS, CORNERCOMPARTMENTS AND CENTRAL COMPARTMENT, THIRD MEANS TO INTRODUCE OIL INTOSAID TANK MEANS, AND FOURTH MEANS TO INTRODUCE OIL FROM SAID OILRECEIVER COMPARTMENT TO SAID COLUMNS AND CENTRAL COMPARTMENT.